Willie Nelson Supports the Nike+ Human Race

Nikeâ€™s launching the Nike+ Human Race, the worldâ€™s largest running event ever and legendary artist Willie Nelson is rallying up Texas, from his US Tour, to participate in Austin on 8-31-08.

Willieâ€™s inviting yâ€™all to run with us on 8-31-08 and shares some insight on Austinâ€™s high energy running community, his buddy Lance Armstrongâ€™s and why Ben Harper is the perfect match for the Austin race.

Nike:Â What were your thoughts when you heard that the Nike+ human Race was coming to Austin, and was one of only 25 cities?

Willie Nelson:Â Well, I think itâ€™s natural because Austin is always out in front and lined up with whoever else is out in front, doing the right thing, so I wasnâ€™t surprised at all that Austin was one of the places to be hosting the big race.

N:Â What does this mean for Austin?

WN:Â I canâ€™t speak for Austin all the way, but I have been here thirty years and I know Austin is not trying to bump its own name, here. Weâ€™re just trying to join in with the rest of the world and do a run for a cause.

N:Â What are your thoughts on Ben Harper performing?

WN:Â Heâ€™s a good buddy of mine. I think heâ€™s a great musician, singer, writer, and a good friend. Iâ€™m not surprised at all that heâ€™s involved in this.

N:Â Lance Armstrong is going to be running the race. What are your thoughts on Lanceâ€™s involvement in health and fitness, and athleticism, in general?

WN:Â Lance has done a lot for the world and he has shown what one individual is capable of doing, even while facing all kinds of adversities. You know, heâ€™s a hero to a lot of us, and the fact that heâ€™s from Austin makes it a little sweeter.

N:Â How many years have you been running and why do you run?

WN:Â I just try to exerciseâ€¦I try to do enough in the morning to make up for what I did, detrimentally, the night before. I try to make it even out, but you know, we donâ€™t live the greatest lifestyles out here traveling on the road and eating whatever we can get a hold of. So, any kind of exercise we can do daily is good, and I try to get in a run or a bike ride or something every day.

Q:Â Austin is such a running town. Can you tell us a little about its view on fitness and running, as a whole?

WN:Â Well, youâ€™re absolutely right. Paul has had a lot to do with that too and has set an example for runners and people around Austin. You know, I enjoy running around Austin. I enjoy going downtown and running on the rivers and lakes down there, and you see just loads and loads of people doing it every single day. Thereâ€™s not a more beautiful place to run and Austin has so many great roads and trails

N:Â Why should Texans run this race?

WN:Â Texans should join the Austin race together with the other cities for this great race. The charities are great, the money will be going to good causes and Iâ€™m just proud to be a part of it. I urge all Texans, and really, people all over the world to do this, and mainly Texas â€“ letâ€™s go out there and lead the way.

N:Â Any final thoughts for our readers?

WN:Â Hey, this is Willie and I want to invite all our friends and family and everybody all over the world, especially you folks from Texas, to come out on August 31st for the Nike+ Human Race.Â It brings the worldâ€™s attention to the benefits of running and weâ€™re supporting running all over the world AND itâ€™ll be in 25 different cities. So, if youâ€™d like to get involved, just go to nikeplus.com .